Lufthansa Group has announced accelerated fleet reduction measures as part of its response to rising fuel prices and ongoing labor disputes. The airline has confirmed it will cease operations at its regional subsidiary CityLine on April 18, earlier than the previous 2027 schedule, citing cost pressures and geopolitical instability.
The carrier is also retiring its last Airbus A340-600s and Boeing 747-400s, while planning to allocate nine additional Airbus A350-900s to Discover Airlines, the group's leisure carrier. These steps aim to optimize the fleet, enhance competitiveness, and manage capacity more effectively across its network.
Impacts on Operations and Workforce
CityLine’s fleet, composed of 27 aircraft including Mitsubishi CRJ-900s, A319s, and A321Fs, has been loss-making and is being phased out. Previously, Lufthansa offered CityLine pilots and crew the option to transition to City Airlines, which operates its own fleet of A320neo family aircraft and plans to add Airbus A220-300s.
In addition, Lufthansa will operate five fewer narrowbody aircraft during the upcoming winter timetable, guided by tighter network coordination among its hubs in Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich, Rome, Vienna, and Zurich. The group is also increasing orders for Airbus A350s, with Discover Airlines slated to receive a total of 13 A350s by 2029.
"The package for accelerated implementation of fleet and capacity measures is unavoidable in light of the sharply increased kerosene costs and geopolitical instability," said CFO Till Streichert.
This strategic adjustment sends a message to the VC pilot union that further strikes could limit growth in both short- and long-haul operations. Lufthansa's fleet order includes 21 additional A350-900s and 15 A350-1000s, with allocations to carriers occurring later.
